President Donald Trump announced Monday that the U.S. will take over the Strait of Hormuz and reinstate a naval blockade of Iranian ships.
This move targets one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, potentially disrupting global energy markets and escalating military tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
During a phone interview on July 13 [1], Trump said the U.S. will seek control of the waterway to keep the strait open under American protection. As part of this operation, the U.S. will charge ships a fee equal to 20% of their cargo value for safe passage [2].
"We're taking over the strait. They've got nothing," Trump said [3].
The announcement comes just over three weeks after a previous blockade was lifted [4]. The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow waterway located between Oman and Iran, serving as a primary route for oil exports. Trump said the U.S. will operate the waterway as tensions between the two nations grow [5].
By imposing the 20% cargo charge, the administration intends to pressure Iran while maintaining a dominant naval presence in the region [6]. The blockade specifically targets Iranian vessels, though the fee for safe passage applies to shipping moving through the controlled zone [2].
Trump said the action is necessary to ensure security in the region. "We are taking over the strait," Trump said [3].
“"We're taking over the strait. They've got nothing."”
The decision to monetize safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz represents a shift toward using critical maritime infrastructure as a direct economic lever. By imposing a 20% cargo fee, the U.S. is not only attempting to constrain Iranian maritime activity but is also introducing a significant new cost to global shipping that could impact the price of oil and goods worldwide.
